Complete beginning help

RouterOS Beginner Basics
1

I apologize if this thread is in the wrong place or like other forums, it’s frowned to simply post questions but I am at a complete loss. I have googled, I’ve used the search features and I found things similar to what I am trying to do, but either I am a complete failure at reading the directories or it’s just different enough that I cannot get it to work.

I’ll start with the short story and see if anyone has follow-up questions to help guide me. I don’t mind being told to RTFM, but please at least link me to the manual because even parts of that were hard to find.

So about 2 years ago I bought a basic: http://routerboard.com/RB2011UiAS-2HnD-IN for my home network. Nothing fancy, I have 5 devices hard-wired into it and maybe another 5-6 tablet’s/phones that connect via wifi. I was able to set this up as a basic home router which is connected to standard comcast cable modem. Nothing fancy at all and I’ve had no problems.

Fast-forward to now and I noticed that depending on where I am in the backyard, the wifi signal begins to weaken. This is not completely unexpected, I get it. However moving the router is not really an option since the entire house is wire and configured in such a way that it’s just not possible. Plus I don’t mind spending a little bit of money to achieve a desired goal. So I do what little pathetic research I am capable of and I was determined to stick with routerboard because I love the current router I have(went to it after having issues with 3 different linksys/netgear ones) and I find this little gem: http://routerboard.com/RBSXT5nDr2

Perhaps I didn’t read up properly or I am misunderstanding some basic network concepts but I got the impression that I could mount that outside and aim in the backyard where I was my signal. Well, the physical mounting was easy. But I just cannot get the damn thing to work.

It is physically wired into the existing router via ethernet cable. If I log into the SXT5 via WinBox I can set it to routermode, give it a unique SSID and then I can see it in the yard. However I cannot set it to AP_BRIDGE because I do have the license, and based on this portion of the manual that is what I need to set it to: http://wiki.mikrotik.com/wiki/Manual:Interface/Wireless#General_interface_properties

So my question: Is it possible to set this thing up in the backyard so it basically acts as a router? Allowing any who have a good signal to connect and surf the web no different than if they were on my couch? If so how do I do that? I’m happy to go through some heavy reading or whatever but all I could find were a bunch of articles on bridging…which if i understand things correctly is not quite what I am looking for. I don’t want to link me and the neighbor, I just want to extend my own wifi-range. Did I buy the wrong product?

Lastly, and this would be a minor concern. Is there a way to have my router and this device use the same SSID so the connection/transfer would be seamless to someone walking from say the kitchen to the backyard? It would just automatically start sending via the SXT5 instead of the router? That’s my perfect world but I’d settle for two different SSID’s

I really appreciate any help.

-Mark

2

You didn’t write anything about your actual router but it doesn’t matter now. You need additional ap not router. You have to just bridge ether with wifi and set the wifi as you wish. If you choose mikrotik device it has to have level 4 licence so you cannot use the sxt lite5 device with level 3 as ap. It can be used as client or ptp bridge only. Sorry for that.
Are you sure about the band selection?

3

So I just researched what you wrote and it appears you are correct. I just verified that I have an level 3 license with the SXT lite 5 device. I also rechecked the products page for routerboard and see that this device is listed as a point to point or point to multipoint device. Basically part of some backbone.

You are 100% correct that what I wanted was just an AP that is weather proof and perhaps has some better directional range than the basic home router. I think I know what to buy now :slight_smile: That being said anyone want an SXT Lite 5 lol

While I have the topic open. It is possible to bridge the outdoor AP and the home router via a wired connection instead of wireless right? Wouldn’t that be faster and better or am I missing a fundamental networking point? Also, is it possible for them to share the same SSID or would it have to be two different AP? aka, InsideHouse and OutsideHouse?

4

I am still not sure if 5GHz device is suitable for you. Not all mobile devices are capable of 5GHz wifi (actually just minority). So you should have a look at 2,4GHz AP.

Assuming previous and your words about more directional device, something like this could be your option:
http://routerboard.com/RBSXTG2HnD. For closer devices (expecting within few tens of meters) you should lower the transmitt power otherwise the signal would be too strong and clients would not be able to clearly “hear” the AP.

Of course it is better to connect AP to your actual router by wire, it is highly reccommendable, if possible. Even if it is “not possible”, it is reccommended :slight_smile:. Although there are ways how to connect additional AP via WIFI, try to avoid this.

Using the same SSID helps to roam faster. Using different frequency (not overlapping) rises the throughput. It is not so difficult to try, but buy the device with at least L4 license (could be higher, not lower).

5

Thank you for the good advice. Looks like I got trigger happy with amateur knowledge when making my purchase :slight_smile:

I’ll get the AP version(license level 4) and give it another go.

6

Please come back and post your results and experience gained. And, if you feel I helped you, there is karma reward button you can hit.

7

its possible to upgrade license level buying license?? i have similar situation, have to implement ap with sxt lite, but i have to be sure before buy the license

8

In case you bought a mikrotik device with embedded license, it is not possible to rise license level. If you have “lite” device with L3 and you need to use it as AP, there is no way with Mikrotik ROS.

Many years ago it was possible on some very old version of ROS to create a VirtualAP on L3 device. But it is not possible now and I doubt that such old ROS would run on SXT Lite.

There are maybe some ways how to install DDWRT or OpenWRT or similar open linux distributions instead ROS, then you would be able to use such device as AP. But I have not done it and I have no information if it works and how it works - try to google and look at supported devices lists of these systems, as on this forum there is no support for it.

I would suggest to buy correct device with L4 licence that covers your needs and sell or use the client level device for client/bridge connection. It will be finally cheaper then finding and trying some obscure ways how to go around.

Maybe try to ask your vendor if he is willing to swap the devices for you - with compensation - as it is new an unused…

Just and remark for others. Read carefully the descriptions and distinguish at least between L3 and higher levels of license. L3 is not usable as AP! Only the higher levels are. If your vendor told you you can use SXT Lite as AP, then throw it on him back with full refund. If it is your fault, try to negotiate… :slight_smile:

Edit:
Mikrotik devices supported by OpenWRT: http://wiki.openwrt.org/toh/start#mikrotik
OpenWrt support patch for SXT Lite: http://patchwork.openwrt.org/patch/5491/
Other patch for SXT Lite: http://patchwork.openwrt.org/patch/5547/
maybe more patches exist… http://patchwork.openwrt.org/patch/5746/

Remember that you can definitelly damage your device by trying to install 3rd party software. If you try, please, share your experience on this forum.

Edit2:
There is thread for OpenWrt here: http://forum.mikrotik.com/t/openwrt-for-routerboard/50383/1